Caring for an aging parent while balancing a career and maintaining a home is one of the most challenging—yet meaningful—things I’ve ever done. Like so women in their 40s and 50s who are torn between life and being a caregiver, I found myself stretched thin between my responsibilities and my mother.
I didn’t mind the daily responsibilities, as I’ve been an adult for 20 years now! Things like laundry, cooking meals, taking out the trash, running errands, and cleaning—, those things are all doable. When you love someone, you just do what needs to be done without thinking twice about it. But things can from manageable to overwhelming quickly.
It wasn’t so much the daily tasks that weighed on me, it was the emotional toll of watching my mother fade, of being there for the hard conversations. I needed to be fully present when her doctor delivered bad news. I needed to be emotionally available when she talked about missing future milestones in her grandchildren’s lives. I needed to listen carefully when the hospice nurse explained what to expect in her final days.
And to do that, to truly be there for her in the moments that mattered most, I had to take care of myself, too.
When you’re in the middle of caregiving, it’s easy to forget about your own needs. You push through exhaustion, you skip meals, you put off your own doctor’s appointments, you stop seeing friends, you stop resting. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else—not in the way they deserve.
Nobody is perfect. We all need time to step away, even if just for a moment—to go for a walk, meet a friend for coffee, go to therapy, or sit in a restaurant and let someone else serve us for once. Taking that time isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Because you can’t pour from an empty cup.
For many of us, asking for help feels like giving up. It feels like saying, “I can’t do it all.” But asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it shows strength. It’s the awareness to recognize that caregiving is too big a job for one person. It’s the respect for yourself and your loved one to ensure they get the best care possible, even if it means hiring someone to do it.
That’s what home care is for.
At AmanaCare, we provide compassionate in-home support so family caregivers can focus on what truly matters: spending meaningful time with their loved one, not just managing their to-do list.
- Home care keeps your loved one safe and comfortable in the place they feel most at peace—home.
- Home care gives you peace of mind, knowing someone is there to help when you can’t be.
- Home care allows you to be a daughter, a son, a sibling, or a spouse again, rather than just a caregiver.
I believe God created us for relationships, for community, and for leaning on one another in times of need. If you are carrying the weight of caregiving alone, please know this: You don’t have to. There are people ready to help, and it’s okay to let them.
Let’s Talk About Support. Caregiving is one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, and you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re struggling to balance being a caregiver with work, family, and life, home care might be the support you need. Call us to talk about how AmanaCare can provide relief—for you and your loved one.
📞 Call/Text: 402-430-9684
📧 Email: heather.schanou@amana-care.com
🔹 Learn more: www.amana-care.com
By Heather, Director of Referral Partnerships at AmanaCare
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Lincoln, NE please contact the caring staff at AmanaCare today. Call (402) 440-5878, for Central Nebraska Call 308-663-3828
AmanaCare Provides Senior Home Care Services in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, Hastings, Omaha, Columbus, Broken Bow, Scottsbluff, Norfolk and surrounding areas.
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